Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Kiwi Van Guy]

I am in New Zealand and have just negotiated the purchase of a Paladin Corsaire. It is generally pretty solid but is in need of some minor restoration work.

Before I am able to start the restoration I need the answer to some questions:

1. For how many years was the Corsaire model made? I can only find one picture on the internet showing a 1957 model but mine is slightly different to this one.

2. Were there different sub models within the Corsaire model range or did they only differ by year of manufacture?

3. Can anybody provide me with any interior photos so I can do a sympathetic restoration. My van seems to be pretty original inside but I would like to be sure before I proceed any further.

Hopefully someone out there can help this Kiwi with his project so I can get it hooked up behind my 1961 Mercury for classic cruising holidays.

Thanks in advance,

Kiwi Van Guy.

[Caraboy]

Ok the Paladin Corsaire was tested by the Caravan magazine in December 1955. It was a light weight model with quite an unusual layout of a rear side dinette/ double bed and a corner toillet compartment and at the front a single seat pulling forward into a double.
It should have the Paladin oval badges on each side just beyond the window, red background. The roof was ally with an interior hardboard roof lining above the exposed framework so no cavity.

Iwill try and scan the test pages from my bound volume if you want.

Caraboy

[Caraboy]

just looked through the magazines, looks like the Corsaire was made from 1955 to 1957. The 1958 magazines make no mention of it but show the new 14ft Bucaneer model in most of the Caravan magazine copies of that year.
The 1954 Paladin 12ft model was known as the Mercury.

Caraboy

[Kiwi Van Guy]

Thanks for the reply, I would appreciate a scanned copy of the test pages. PM me and I will send you my direct e-mail contact if that makes it easier for you?

Do you know for how many years they made the Corsaire model? I ask this as mine has a different layout internally compared to what you describe.

The dinette in mine is at the front, there is no toilet compartment, the sink and gas cooker are immediately to the left of the door and there is a, floor to ceiling, closet directly opposite the sink. The door is hinged on the left edge whereas the pictures I have seen of the '56 model show the door hinged on the right hand edge of the door. My door has a window in it as well but there is no window in the middle of the left side panel (above the sink) as shown in the '56 photo I have seen. I just read your second posting so I might assume that mine is a '57 model then?

Perhaps they altered the configuration for export models?

It does have the oval badges fitted to each side at the front just below the windows although they have been painted over with a ghastly green primer paint that I will have to strip off once I get it home.

[Kiwi Van Guy]

Here is a picture of the van as found and also my tow vehicle.





Kiwi Van Guy

[Kiwi Van Guy]

Still waiting for advise PLEASE HELP!!!!

[PaladinBuccaneer]

[rangerover125]

I would love to see some interior photos

[PaladinBuccaneer]

[RotaryBri]